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Kurt Beck





Beck comes from a rather humble family background, his father having been a bricklayer. Both his parents stem from the town Kapsweyer in southern Rhenish Palatinate . After his aprenticeship Beck worked as an electric mechanic and went on as an employee representative on Works Councils . He joined the SPD in 1972 . Beck became chairman of the SPD of Rhineland Palatinate in 1993 and deputy chairman of the federal party in 2003 . As prime minister he is known for his centrist approach, which is also apparent from the choice of his coalition partner (the liberal FDP instead of the left-wing Green Party , which is the traditional ally of the SPD).

In March 2006 , Beck's SPD gained an absolute majority in the state elections; Beck offered to continue the coalition but since the FDP declined, the SPD formed a government without a partner.

After the resignation of SPD Chairman Matthias Platzeck on April 10, Kurt Beck has been nominated as a successor and currently serves as acting chairman.

Kurt Beck and his wife, Roswitha live in Steinfeld, southern Rhineland-Palatinate. They have one son.

at the East Asia Institute in 2000]]

  Title Minister-President Of Rhineland-Palatinate
  Before Rudolf Scharping
  After incumbent


  Title Chairman Of The Social Democratic Party Of Germany (acting)
  Before Matthias Platzeck
  After incumbent